How do people afford to stay at the Disney hotels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can afford it, but have no interest in spending $20k+ for standing in lines and going on rides.

+1 MILLION

And please don’t compare waiting in line for a man-made ride to waiting in line for the Colosseum or pyramids or something.

The good news is, you don't have to. You are under absolutely no obligation to ever visit Disney, ever. You weren't even obligated to open this thread or comment on it. Yet, you did. It's bizarre.

What is bizarre are you clueless and dense Disney moms.

[Anonymous]

For all the posters saying Disney is too expensive, what type of trips do you normally take? I assume, given your interest in a DC area travel board, that you are doing more than basic staycations and grandparent visits.

I’ve compared my Disney trips to local beach trips, cruises, weekends in NYC, and all inclusive resorts, and Disney really is comparable (or even cheaper) for the level of entertainment and service that is included. Yes, I could go to Cedar Point for a week for cheaper, but while great it’s not Disney quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For all the posters saying Disney is too expensive, what type of trips do you normally take? I assume, given your interest in a DC area travel board, that you are doing more than basic staycations and grandparent visits.

I’ve compared my Disney trips to local beach trips, cruises, weekends in NYC, and all inclusive resorts, and Disney really is comparable (or even cheaper) for the level of entertainment and service that is included. Yes, I could go to Cedar Point for a week for cheaper, but while great it’s not Disney quality.

Most are talking about going to Disney not on a budget, but expensive hotels and meals. You can go much cheaper, but most here don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can afford it, but have no interest in spending $20k+ for standing in lines and going on rides.

+1 MILLION

And please don’t compare waiting in line for a man-made ride to waiting in line for the Colosseum or pyramids or something.

The good news is, you don't have to. You are under absolutely no obligation to ever visit Disney, ever. You weren't even obligated to open this thread or comment on it. Yet, you did. It's bizarre.

You’re not the thread police so I’ll just comment as much as I want, thanks!

I never said you couldn't. I just find it odd and am commenting on your oddness as much as I want, thanks!

I don't like "death metal" music. If someone started a thread about death metal music, I probably wouldn't open it at all. If I did, maybe out of curiosity, I definitely wouldn't comment "I have the ability to hear and access to the radio or music downloading services, but I have no interest in listening to someone screaming noise in a hoarse voice."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is probably looking right now, for hotels at Disney for xmas break. That's the busiest time of year, and it's too late in the game. Yes, prices are high.

The trick is to book far in advance, not during peak periods, and get discounts like if you book on disney.com, they have package deals that include park tickets. We neve spend more than $300/night and that's for Contemporary or Grand Floridian, boht on the monorail.

How long ago? I haven’t seen prices that low in at least a decade at those hotels, and I’m eligible for tons of discounts (military, pass holder, chase Disney visa, Florida resident)

Shades of green is $237, which is why we never stay there and do a value or moderate.

https://www.shadesofgreen.org/rooms

The price depends on the sponsor’s rank. It is as high as $257

Anyone with an officer or high rank can afford more. As enlisted we never stayed there as Disney value with military discount is cheaper. It’s still way less than what people here consider budget.

Well, you are not in the position to know what everyone can afford, regardless of whether or not you know their salary. Plenty of enlisted have non-military spouses who are high earners. Some have "family money" or inheritances.
Many officers or high ranking enlisted have family obligations (like helping to support an aging parent or other relative) that take a hit to their budget. Or student loans.... Maybe 50 years ago it could have been as simple as certain ranks can afford X, but not so much anymore.

Anyway, I was only correcting the poster that stated unequivocally that Shades of Green is $237. The price can be higher OR lower, as there are three categories.

None of it is relevant, high-ranking enlisted aren't making much and family obligations don't count. Officers make significantly more in base pay, housing , etc. And they receive priority in healthcare. And, the retiree pay for enlisted vs. officer is significant, i.e. thousands. Our retiree pay is around $1K, minus tricare, and taxes so we get maybe $600 a month.

The discussion is how do people afford it. The anwser is you stay at value hotels or moderate, eat cheaply, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is probably looking right now, for hotels at Disney for xmas break. That's the busiest time of year, and it's too late in the game. Yes, prices are high.

The trick is to book far in advance, not during peak periods, and get discounts like if you book on disney.com, they have package deals that include park tickets. We neve spend more than $300/night and that's for Contemporary or Grand Floridian, boht on the monorail.

How long ago? I haven’t seen prices that low in at least a decade at those hotels, and I’m eligible for tons of discounts (military, pass holder, chase Disney visa, Florida resident)

Shades of green is $237, which is why we never stay there and do a value or moderate.

https://www.shadesofgreen.org/rooms

The price depends on the sponsor’s rank. It is as high as $257

Anyone with an officer or high rank can afford more. As enlisted we never stayed there as Disney value with military discount is cheaper. It’s still way less than what people here consider budget.

Well, you are not in the position to know what everyone can afford, regardless of whether or not you know their salary. Plenty of enlisted have non-military spouses who are high earners. Some have "family money" or inheritances.
Many officers or high ranking enlisted have family obligations (like helping to support an aging parent or other relative) that take a hit to their budget. Or student loans.... Maybe 50 years ago it could have been as simple as certain ranks can afford X, but not so much anymore.

Anyway, I was only correcting the poster that stated unequivocally that Shades of Green is $237. The price can be higher OR lower, as there are three categories.

None of it is relevant, high-ranking enlisted aren't making much and family obligations don't count. Officers make significantly more in base pay, housing , etc. And they receive priority in healthcare. And, the retiree pay for enlisted vs. officer is significant, i.e. thousands. Our retiree pay is around $1K, minus tricare, and taxes so we get maybe $600 a month.

The discussion is how do people afford it. The anwser is you stay at value hotels or moderate, eat cheaply, etc.

A poster made a false statement. I corrected it.
And yes, I recognize you as the bitter enlisted wife. You post all the time about how upset you are that officers make more than your husband.

[Anonymous]

I haven’t read the responses, but I have wondered the same as you, OP. We are a family of two lawyers and one child, and I find the Disney hotel prices shockingly high (I’d say the same about the Universal Studios hotels).

My kid is now in high school so we are past the Disney years, but we went once to DisneyWorld when DD was 8 and to Universal once when DD was 10 (focused to see Harry Potter world). Here is what we did:

Disney- Pulled DD from elem school the week after thanksgiving, so rates and lines were lower, and stayed offsite but nearby at a Marriott time share property where we got a 2 BR unit with living room, kitchen, etc. We paid extra for the Disney tickets to include the “fast pass” option. This all worked out great (and we are Disney skeptics) - we saved money and had a more comfortable set up by staying offsite, and since it was a lower attendance week at the parks, we didn’t need to be there the minute the parks opened (we also took advantage of early entry some days by booking character breakfasts within parks). We also saved money on breakfasts by eating at the unit, and several nights we brought in dinner, too. It was easy to get back and forth via lot parking and the tram.

Universal - We went spring break week and stayed onsite because it was the only way to get their equivalent of the fast pass. The hotel situation was an expensive, crowded, unpleasant experience, but worth it for 3 days to get their equivalent fast passes.

But bottom line, I don’t know how people afford the Disney hotels, but plenty of people seem to. I feel the same way about first class tickets on airplanes, especially when I see children in the seats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t read the responses, but I have wondered the same as you, OP. We are a family of two lawyers and one child, and I find the Disney hotel prices shockingly high (I’d say the same about the Universal Studios hotels).

My kid is now in high school so we are past the Disney years, but we went once to DisneyWorld when DD was 8 and to Universal once when DD was 10 (focused to see Harry Potter world). Here is what we did:

Disney- Pulled DD from elem school the week after thanksgiving, so rates and lines were lower, and stayed offsite but nearby at a Marriott time share property where we got a 2 BR unit with living room, kitchen, etc. We paid extra for the Disney tickets to include the “fast pass” option. This all worked out great (and we are Disney skeptics) - we saved money and had a more comfortable set up by staying offsite, and since it was a lower attendance week at the parks, we didn’t need to be there the minute the parks opened (we also took advantage of early entry some days by booking character breakfasts within parks). We also saved money on breakfasts by eating at the unit, and several nights we brought in dinner, too. It was easy to get back and forth via lot parking and the tram.

Universal - We went spring break week and stayed onsite because it was the only way to get their equivalent of the fast pass. The hotel situation was an expensive, crowded, unpleasant experience, but worth it for 3 days to get their equivalent fast passes.

But bottom line, I don’t know how people afford the Disney hotels, but plenty of people seem to. I feel the same way about first class tickets on airplanes, especially when I see children in the seats!

Are you sure you are remembering this correctly?
If your daughter is now in high school, I'm assuming she is now at least 14 years old. You said you brought her to Disney when she was 8--so 6 years ago?
Prior to 2021, there was no way to purchase fast pass (or anything similar by another name.) The fast pass selections came free with your ticket. I seem to remember there was some option for those staying club level at Deluxe resorts to purchase an additional selection, but you said you were staying in an offsite Marriott so that wouldn't apply here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We can afford it, but have no interest in spending $20k+ for standing in lines and going on rides.

+1 MILLION

And please don’t compare waiting in line for a man-made ride to waiting in line for the Colosseum or pyramids or something.

U realize people cam like more than one thing, right? It’s not a competition.

[Anonymous]

If you want to stay in the Deluxe hotels and not go during off season or during a promotion, yes that is what it costs. Like anything else that is expensive, some are willing to pay it an others are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t read the responses, but I have wondered the same as you, OP. We are a family of two lawyers and one child, and I find the Disney hotel prices shockingly high (I’d say the same about the Universal Studios hotels).

My kid is now in high school so we are past the Disney years, but we went once to DisneyWorld when DD was 8 and to Universal once when DD was 10 (focused to see Harry Potter world). Here is what we did:

Disney- Pulled DD from elem school the week after thanksgiving, so rates and lines were lower, and stayed offsite but nearby at a Marriott time share property where we got a 2 BR unit with living room, kitchen, etc. We paid extra for the Disney tickets to include the “fast pass” option. This all worked out great (and we are Disney skeptics) - we saved money and had a more comfortable set up by staying offsite, and since it was a lower attendance week at the parks, we didn’t need to be there the minute the parks opened (we also took advantage of early entry some days by booking character breakfasts within parks). We also saved money on breakfasts by eating at the unit, and several nights we brought in dinner, too. It was easy to get back and forth via lot parking and the tram.

Universal - We went spring break week and stayed onsite because it was the only way to get their equivalent of the fast pass. The hotel situation was an expensive, crowded, unpleasant experience, but worth it for 3 days to get their equivalent fast passes.

But bottom line, I don’t know how people afford the Disney hotels, but plenty of people seem to. I feel the same way about first class tickets on airplanes, especially when I see children in the seats!

Are you sure you are remembering this correctly?
If your daughter is now in high school, I'm assuming she is now at least 14 years old. You said you brought her to Disney when she was 8--so 6 years ago?
Prior to 2021, there was no way to purchase fast pass (or anything similar by another name.) The fast pass selections came free with your ticket. I seem to remember there was some option for those staying club level at Deluxe resorts to purchase an additional selection, but you said you were staying in an offsite Marriott so that wouldn't apply here.

DD is 18 yrs old, but I may not accurately remember how old she was when we went - maybe she was 6 or 7? (I was thinking second grade, maybe it was first?) I know we had fast passes which worked great (vs the Universal equivalent was more of a mixed bag), and I thought we paid extra for them but could be remembering that part wrong, and I know we stayed offsite which was really the point I wanted to emphasize per OP’s question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t read the responses, but I have wondered the same as you, OP. We are a family of two lawyers and one child, and I find the Disney hotel prices shockingly high (I’d say the same about the Universal Studios hotels).

My kid is now in high school so we are past the Disney years, but we went once to DisneyWorld when DD was 8 and to Universal once when DD was 10 (focused to see Harry Potter world). Here is what we did:

Disney- Pulled DD from elem school the week after thanksgiving, so rates and lines were lower, and stayed offsite but nearby at a Marriott time share property where we got a 2 BR unit with living room, kitchen, etc. We paid extra for the Disney tickets to include the “fast pass” option. This all worked out great (and we are Disney skeptics) - we saved money and had a more comfortable set up by staying offsite, and since it was a lower attendance week at the parks, we didn’t need to be there the minute the parks opened (we also took advantage of early entry some days by booking character breakfasts within parks). We also saved money on breakfasts by eating at the unit, and several nights we brought in dinner, too. It was easy to get back and forth via lot parking and the tram.

Universal - We went spring break week and stayed onsite because it was the only way to get their equivalent of the fast pass. The hotel situation was an expensive, crowded, unpleasant experience, but worth it for 3 days to get their equivalent fast passes.

But bottom line, I don’t know how people afford the Disney hotels, but plenty of people seem to. I feel the same way about first class tickets on airplanes, especially when I see children in the seats!

Are you sure you are remembering this correctly?
If your daughter is now in high school, I'm assuming she is now at least 14 years old. You said you brought her to Disney when she was 8--so 6 years ago?
Prior to 2021, there was no way to purchase fast pass (or anything similar by another name.) The fast pass selections came free with your ticket. I seem to remember there was some option for those staying club level at Deluxe resorts to purchase an additional selection, but you said you were staying in an offsite Marriott so that wouldn't apply here.

DD is 18 yrs old, but I may not accurately remember how old she was when we went - maybe she was 6 or 7? (I was thinking second grade, maybe it was first?) I know we had fast passes which worked great (vs the Universal equivalent was more of a mixed bag), and I thought we paid extra for them but could be remembering that part wrong, and I know we stayed offsite which was really the point I wanted to emphasize per OP’s question.

DP here and this is another odd comment…Universal Express passes work great and better than Disney’s (then or now and we frequent both places.) At Universal with EP you don’t need a time slot and can ride over and over again.

[Anonymous]

The Disneyland hotel priced are shockingly high but worth it for us to have the early entrance. We only stayed 2 nights. It was probably a once-in-a-lifetime trip as our kids are older and want real adventures now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is probably looking right now, for hotels at Disney for xmas break. That's the busiest time of year, and it's too late in the game. Yes, prices are high.

The trick is to book far in advance, not during peak periods, and get discounts like if you book on disney.com, they have package deals that include park tickets. We neve spend more than $300/night and that's for Contemporary or Grand Floridian, boht on the monorail.

How long ago? I haven’t seen prices that low in at least a decade at those hotels, and I’m eligible for tons of discounts (military, pass holder, chase Disney visa, Florida resident)

Shades of green is $237, which is why we never stay there and do a value or moderate.

https://www.shadesofgreen.org/rooms

The price depends on the sponsor’s rank. It is as high as $257

Anyone with an officer or high rank can afford more. As enlisted we never stayed there as Disney value with military discount is cheaper. It’s still way less than what people here consider budget.

Well, you are not in the position to know what everyone can afford, regardless of whether or not you know their salary. Plenty of enlisted have non-military spouses who are high earners. Some have "family money" or inheritances.
Many officers or high ranking enlisted have family obligations (like helping to support an aging parent or other relative) that take a hit to their budget. Or student loans.... Maybe 50 years ago it could have been as simple as certain ranks can afford X, but not so much anymore.

Anyway, I was only correcting the poster that stated unequivocally that Shades of Green is $237. The price can be higher OR lower, as there are three categories.

None of it is relevant, high-ranking enlisted aren't making much and family obligations don't count. Officers make significantly more in base pay, housing , etc. And they receive priority in healthcare. And, the retiree pay for enlisted vs. officer is significant, i.e. thousands. Our retiree pay is around $1K, minus tricare, and taxes so we get maybe $600 a month.

The discussion is how do people afford it. The anwser is you stay at value hotels or moderate, eat cheaply, etc.

A poster made a false statement. I corrected it.
And yes, I recognize you as the bitter enlisted wife. You post all the time about how upset you are that officers make more than your husband.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. As retirees, we outearn most retired and active duty officers we know... Enlisted deserve more. So, complaining that enlisted pay less, is silly as they earn significantly less. My spouse only stayed in for the health care. Shocker, some enlisted do well after retirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP is probably looking right now, for hotels at Disney for xmas break. That's the busiest time of year, and it's too late in the game. Yes, prices are high.

The trick is to book far in advance, not during peak periods, and get discounts like if you book on disney.com, they have package deals that include park tickets. We neve spend more than $300/night and that's for Contemporary or Grand Floridian, boht on the monorail.

How long ago? I haven’t seen prices that low in at least a decade at those hotels, and I’m eligible for tons of discounts (military, pass holder, chase Disney visa, Florida resident)

Shades of green is $237, which is why we never stay there and do a value or moderate.

https://www.shadesofgreen.org/rooms

The price depends on the sponsor’s rank. It is as high as $257

Anyone with an officer or high rank can afford more. As enlisted we never stayed there as Disney value with military discount is cheaper. It’s still way less than what people here consider budget.

Well, you are not in the position to know what everyone can afford, regardless of whether or not you know their salary. Plenty of enlisted have non-military spouses who are high earners. Some have "family money" or inheritances.
Many officers or high ranking enlisted have family obligations (like helping to support an aging parent or other relative) that take a hit to their budget. Or student loans.... Maybe 50 years ago it could have been as simple as certain ranks can afford X, but not so much anymore.

Anyway, I was only correcting the poster that stated unequivocally that Shades of Green is $237. The price can be higher OR lower, as there are three categories.

None of it is relevant, high-ranking enlisted aren't making much and family obligations don't count. Officers make significantly more in base pay, housing , etc. And they receive priority in healthcare. And, the retiree pay for enlisted vs. officer is significant, i.e. thousands. Our retiree pay is around $1K, minus tricare, and taxes so we get maybe $600 a month.

The discussion is how do people afford it. The anwser is you stay at value hotels or moderate, eat cheaply, etc.

A poster made a false statement. I corrected it.
And yes, I recognize you as the bitter enlisted wife. You post all the time about how upset you are that officers make more than your husband.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. As retirees, we outearn most retired and active duty officers we know... Enlisted deserve more. So, complaining that enlisted pay less, is silly as they earn significantly less. My spouse only stayed in for the health care. Shocker, some enlisted do well after retirement.

Who was complaining that enlisted pay less? No one in this thread.

Again, someone (you?) made a only partially true statement that Shades of Green costs $237/night. While it's true that SOME people are in the category that is charged $237, there are three categories and some people will pay less than $237 and others will pay $257.
I didn't "complain" about anything. I corrected the inaccurate information.

I didn't see anyone else here "complain" about the price that enlisted pay.